2017 Isuzu D-Max new car review

Japanese car maker has updated its rugged workhorse ute.

STARTING PRICE

$47,100

BASIC SPEC

2017 Isuzu D-Max new car review

A leopard never changes its spots, so they say. And, while there are plenty of dual-cab utes trying to disguise their working class origins, Isuzu is proud of to be the leopard among the pack.

Where Holden has blinged-up its latest-generation Colorado as it chases the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, Isuzu has focused on improving the hard-working strengths of the D-Max ute range that shares its underpinnings with the Colorado.

That's not to say the Japanese company has sat on its hands. On the contrary, the updated D-Max is an Australian special highlighting the importance of the local market. Where the rest of the world downsized to a smaller 2.5-litre engine to meet more stringent Euro 5 emissions regulations, Australia gets its own 3.0-litre version.

As a result the D-Max gains a significant increase in torque even if it doesn't pick-up any more power. From the outside there's a revised front end too, with a reprofiled grille and redesigned headlights incorporating LED running lights on up-spec versions.

2017 Isuzu D-Max. Photo: Supplied

As before the D-Max offers a five variant range comprising EX, SX, LS-M, LS-U and range-topping LS-T. From launch a limited edition X-Runner model also joins the range to celebrate Isuzu's centenary, limited to just 600 units.

Single, extra and dual cab body styles (Isuzu calls them single, Spacecab, and Crew Cab) can be mixed and matched with a ute-style tub or cab-chassis body with 4x2 or 4x4 depending on the specification.

With a focus on hard graft rather than dressy showmanship, the D-Max might not look as svelte or sophisticated as something like a Volkswagen Amarok or Ford Ranger Wildtrack, but over a course of highway, back roads, beach and bush driving in the Queensland hinterland the D-Max showed that it isn't afraid to tackle the rough stuff.

Not much has changed inside the updated D-Max so owners of the outgoing version may not feel a crushing need to update.

Like its current crop of competitors the D-Max offers generous proportions with a pair of big, broad front seats. There's enough bolstering to hold wide-backed Aussie blokes in place without making getting in and out difficult.

Time behind the wheel was in the mid-grade LS-M which pairs cloth seats with vinyl flooring for a less bare, but still robust look and feel.

While the steering wheel adjusts for tilt only, it's easy to set up a comfortable position behind the wheel and even after solid hours on the road there were no aches and pains to speak of.

Cupholders aplenty ensure no beverage goes unsecured, and unlike the Colorado which ditched its squared-off ice coffee-carton holding outboard cupholders, Isuzu has kept them which ought to keep tradies happy, or at least those that haven't switched to bottled coffee or energy drinks.

Dual gloveboxes offer enough space to stash tape measures, quote books, and stray hand tools, with another smaller stash-space on the driver's side for change and the like with everything kept away from prying eyes.

A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system on SX and LS-M and 8.0 inch unit on LS-U and LS-T variants is quick and easy to pair to a mobile phone with, and in dual cab variants sounds pretty decent thanks to an eight-speaker sound system. The larger-screen units also come with standard satellite navigation.

As with the previous 3.0-litre engine, the new Euro 5 compliant powerplant owes its existence to Isuzu's N-Series truck range and is boosted by a variable geometry turbocharger and runs a life-of-vehicle timing chain in place of a belt.

By using an engine designed for a 4.5-tonne truck, Isuzu claims the D-Max's diesel in "understressed" which should, in theory, deliver a long and reliable service life.

The new engine also includes detail changes compared with its predecessor including an enlarged EGR (exhaust gas recirculation - for emissions control) cooler, new pistons, fuel supply pump and injectors.

Another requirement to comply with Euro 5 emissions regulations is a new diesel particulate filter, which Isuzu calls a diffuser, with an on-board display showing how 'full' the filter is before undertaking a regeneration (or burn-off) cycle approximately every 500 kilometres.

Isuzu has avoided the use of an ad-blue exhaust treatment additive however, meaning no additional top ups or refill schedules are required, something that's sure to set the minds of long-distance rural travellers at ease.

Joining the updated engine is a new six-speed manual transmission designed by Isuzu, and a new six-speed automatic (up from a five-speed unit previously) supplied by Aisin, and claimed to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

The six-speed auto-equipped 4x4 LS-M we drove at launch felt right at home both on the road and off the beaten track. Although light-duty driving may not present much call from the extra torque - now 430Nm, up from 380Nm - once we hit the gravel and engaged low-range 4x4 the extra hauling power came to the fore.

Isuzu hasn't made any changes to steering or suspension, with a rigid rear axle and leaf springs carrying over from before. Some variants fall just under one-tonne carrying capacity, while others can haul more - depending on the configuration.

With a completely unladen tray it's fair to say that, as expected, ride quality isn't the D-Max's finest point, but with a couple of hundred kilograms of equipment or supplies in the tub there's no doubt it would settle down nicely.

Despite that, with nothing in the rear there was no untoward bucking or bouncing about - even over choppy surfaces at speed. Of course the D-Max is no tarmac demon so expect a fair share of body roll in corners and dive under brakes - but nothing alarming.

Isuzu also claims to have worked on reducing noise, vibrations and harshness with extra insulation in the firewall and floor pan. Without a back-to-back test of the previous generation it's hard to say how much better it is, but vibration appears to have been settled marginally, although the D-Max's truck origins show through with plenty of diesel clatter.

If you were looking to add a spanner to your toolbox the criteria would be pretty simple: it needs to do the job day-in and day-out without fuss, and it needs to be cost effective enough to be invaluable.

Isuzu has tried to achieve the same goals with the updated D-Max, as running costs are down thanks to improved fuel efficiency and reduced servicing costs, but its hard-working ability is untouched as it'll still carry a tray full of tools or escape to a faraway bush campsite without breaking a sweat.

No, it isn't the fanciest ute on the market as Ford packs the Ranger with technology and Volkswagen has made the Amarok almost car-like to drive, but with a pricetag over $65k their respective top spec versions are almost too good to get dirty.

As Isuzu frames it they build tools, not toys. That won't suit all buyers - it might even upset some family buyers - but for those looking for something rugged and ready to tackle anything the D-Max meets the brief perfectly.

2016 Isuzu D-MAX LS-M

Drive Comments

The truth | 10 Feb 2017 03:59

the extra torque - now 430Nm, up from 380Nm
Couldn't be bothered changing your vehicle information box (Summary) at the head of the article. Same issue with your other story on the price of the vehicle (why not tie them together in one article?)

Selector 2 | 12 Feb 2017 21:39

And...off road?Did ya get it stuck... what sort of off road review is that?

Feathers | 13 Feb 2017 21:17

Isuzu scored an own goal by preferring an EGR/burner over Adblue. These are 4WD vehicles and they would expect to sell plenty to people who actually go off-road...what happens when the burner kicks in when you are parked in a dry grassy paddock?
Too many issues with the exhaust system in the light truck range have forced buyers to other brands - no need to repeat the mistake in what would otherwise be a very attractive workhorse vehicle